It's been a great month for restaurant openings. Better Half, North Italia and H-Mart/Market Eatery all recently opened, and now comes word that one of Austin's most highly anticipated restaurants, Guild, will open its doors just in time for SXSW: March 9.
Led by head chef and partner Sterling Ridings (Uchiko), Guild is an ode to the ocean, focusing on seafood-driven dishes that will change throughout the season. In addition to a raw bar with oysters, ceviche and crudo, diners will find entrées like cod with campfire squash, swiss chard, and edamame; trout with dill buttermilk, smoked beet and cucumber; and octopus with seaweed tapenade. Those going with a friend who's more about the turf than the surf will be able to order hanger steak with braised greens, a pork tomahawk for two and lavender chicken with dauphine potatoes.
Pastry chef Monica Glenn Sullivan has crafted a diverse dessert menu that sees favorites, like chess pie with buttermilk gelato, alongside inventive items that include opera cake with sesame jaconde and sweet potato crémeux. There's a hefty digestif menu with dessert cocktails, as well as regular cocktail offerings (we're dying to try the sage-smoked old-fashioned), plus wine and beer.
The Michael Hsu-designed space, which is located at 3800 N Lamar #170, includes two patios, a shuffleboard court, and an urban garden. Guild will originally offer dinner Tue-Thu, Sun 5-10pm and Fri, Sat 5-11pm.